Ready to Were (8 page)

The lunch crowd had slimmed out and I noticed Dwayne and Granny had left. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Maybe I should go for a run
now
… Hank was still in the booth and he looked ready to explode. Crapcrapcrap.

I owed him an explanation. I was a big enough girl to do the right thing. I had no clue where Granny and Dwayne went, but something was way off. Had Granny read him the riot act? God, I hoped not. It was me that deserved the riot act. If she had pissed Hank off, why would she have left me to deal with it alone? I glanced wildly around the diner and noticed all the shifters had left. Only humans remained. I waved at a few people I knew and dragged my feet back to the booth.

“Um…hi. Where did Granny and Dwayne go?” I asked.

Hank said nothing. His hands were clenched and his jaw was tight.

“Did you order yet? I didn’t order before you got here and I’m kind of hungry, but not really. Actually the thought of swallowing food is nauseating right now, but if you want to eat and discuss the case I can sit here. I could drink some water or a soda or I could go and get my…”

“Sit,” Hank instructed tersely.

I did.

“I think that Puck Flame is definitely dirty and I think the Tinas are possibly recruiting for him and his partners. I got his prints on my cup and I’m sure he’s using an alias. And, um, I’m going back in the morning, but I’m sure you know that because you were listening at the station.”

Hank slowly removed the transmitter from his ear and laid it on the table in front of me. My gut burned and my palms began to sweat. Oh my hell, I was still wearing the wire. He heard everything in the bathroom and he hated me. I wasn’t going to get the chance to tell him what a loser I was because he already knew. The need to run was almost overwhelming, but this time I would stay until I was told to go.

Inhaling a deep breath, I gently touched his hand. He didn’t take mine, but at least he didn’t yank his away. “I am so sorry,” I whispered brokenly. “I made a terrible mistake and I’m just so very sorry.”

He refused to look at me and I didn’t blame him. I didn’t want to look at me either. I slid out of the booth and stood. I knew we would have to work together to solve the crime, but I could give him his space when we weren’t working. The tiny pieces that were left of my heart tore at my insides.

“I’ll check in tomorrow morning before my appointment.” I moved to leave, but his hand snaked out and captured my wrist in a vise-like hold.

“If you think you’re about to run again, you have another thing coming.” His voice was low and furious.

“Let go of my wrist,” I said as I tried to hold back tears. “I promise I won’t run.”

“Your promises aren’t really worth much, Essie,” he said finally, raising his eyes to mine. “If we weren’t in a public place I’d handcuff you to me.”

Even though I knew he wanted to lay into me, the thought of being handcuffed to him sent excited chills through me
. I had clearly lost it.
I deserved anything he had to say. It couldn’t be any worse than all the things I was saying to myself.

“I have spent a year wondering what I had done to you that was so bad you would leave and I had to hear it like this? You distrusted me so much that you would think I had covered several women’s bodies in hickeys?” He was flabbergasted. When I heard him say it out loud, I had to admit I was too. How could I have been so reckless and dumb?

“I…”

“You made us miss out on a year of our lives together because you believed a lie.”

“I’m sorry,” I said so quietly I almost couldn’t hear it.

“Sorry is not cutting it right now. Come with me,” he said gruffly.

“Where are we going?” I gasped as he dragged me out of the diner.

He stopped and ran his hands through his hair and exhaled an angry frustrated sigh. “To my house. You’ve denied both of us for a year and it’s time to do something about that.”

“You can’t possibly want to have sex after what I did,” I stammered and backed away.

“Who said anything about sex?” He grinned and my tummy flipped.

“I just thought…”

“You need to stop thinking, Essie. It just gets you into trouble. Get on the bike.”

His huge Harley was in the parking lot and I stumbled toward it. He lifted me like I weighed nothing and plopped me down on the seat. He straddled the bike and started it up. It purred and rumbled between my shaking legs.

“Hold on, little girl. It’s going to be a bumpy ride—a very bumpy ride.”

Chapter 9

His house looked the same as the day I left. A book I had been reading was still on the coffee table and all the feminine touches I had added remained. When I had first moved in it was a total man cave, but Hank was thrilled to let my personality and things join his. The house was a perfect little bungalow tucked away on a private beach on the outskirts of Hung. We had spent many nights wishing on stars and making plans for the future.

I had loved him since high school. He was four years older and watched me from afar until I graduated college. He made his moves quickly and there was no looking back for either of us. I loved him completely—his strength, compassion and smokin’ hot butt just killed me. I couldn’t believe someone like him wanted someone like me. He was as deadly as he was kind—a rare combination for a Shifter. He was a tough but fair alpha of the Pack and had only been challenged once since he took over for his father. The challenge was horrifying. It was the first time I’d seen Hank fight. My alpha was mesmerizing and humbling. That night was also the first night we made love.

“Sit down, Essie,” he said. He paced the room and his power filled it. I sat quietly and waited.

“Hank, I…”

“You what, Essie?”

“Nothing,” I murmured.

“You’re sitting right in front of me, but you’re still running. If you want me, Essie, you’ll have to fight for me.” He crossed his arms over his chest and watched me.

“Will you still fight for me?” I whispered, afraid of his answer.

“I have fought for you from the moment I laid eyes on you…and I never stopped. Not for one moment.”

He was right and it made my shame more debilitating. The silence was heavy and my brain was jumbled.

“Do you still love me?” he asked calmly.

I glanced up and my eyes locked with his. Having nothing left to lose, I nodded my head yes.

“Then you need to show me.”

“I don’t know how.” I was stricken. How could I erase a year of pain and anger?

“Essie, when you left me you were still a girl. I didn’t realize it—I was too close. You became your own woman this year. As much as it sickens me that we weren’t together when this happened, maybe this was the way it was supposed to be.”

“You watched me. You saw everything I did. Why didn’t you drag me home?” I asked. He wasn’t prone to rash action, but he did have the wild possessive streak of a Were.

“Trust me, I was tempted…but I wanted you to grow, and because I had Dwayne’s ear and big mouth I felt secure. Not to mention your Granny said, and I quote ‘I will rip your alpha ass apart if you don’t let that girl find herself’.”

God, my Granny loved me something fierce. Standing up to your alpha was serious business. “What did Dwayne tell you?” I asked as I felt my cheeks heat.

“You’ll have to ask him.” He gave me a half smirk that made me want to weep with joy and tackle him to the ground at the same time.

We stared at each other for a long time. I literally ached to touch him, but I still wasn’t sure what the ground rules were. Did I have to pay penance? I was willing to do anything to regain his trust.

“You’re going to have to make the first move, Essie,” he said quietly and leaned back against the wall.

He was right and I was scared. Maybe he and Granny were correct. Maybe I did have to grow up. I was no longer just the alpha’s gal pal. I was my own woman—an agent, a strong, whole person.

His green eyes turned a silvery blue and I felt wanted for exactly who I was—the crazy girl who would continue to attract trouble and make mistakes. The one who could love him like no other and the one who could finally accept his love in return.

I stood slowly and slipped the straps of my sundress off my shoulders. His body tensed, but he stayed still. I let it fall to the floor and I giggled.

“I’m still wired.” I grinned and approached him. My insides danced wildly and the scent of cinnamon filled the room. I was wearing a bra, panties, kick ass wedge Pradas
that belonged to Dwayne
, a wire and a small gun strapped to my inner thigh. I had never felt sexier in my life.

“Officer, I’m going to have to ask you to remove your weapon,” Hank said in his
sheriff's voice.

“Wait, isn’t that my line? I’m the agent,” I answered as I bit back a laugh.

“True, but I’m the sheriff…and your alpha. I trump. Remove the gun. I plan to spend some time there and I prefer to keep my manly parts.”

“I prefer that you keep your manly parts too,” I said and stopped a breath away from him. His body went as tight as a drum and his Mr. Happy was very happy. I knew it took everything he had not to lunge at me. I marveled at his control and quite honestly at mine too.

Carefully, I unstrapped my gun and put it on the coffee table. “Will you help me with the wire?”

“Please?” His lopsided grin melted my insides.

“Please,” I whispered.

Having tape pulled from one’s body was not the usual foreplay I was used to with Hank, but it rocked my world at the moment. He ran his fingertips gently over the reddened skin and followed it with his lips. Somehow my bra and panties disappeared too. How had I not noticed that? Wait, who the hell cared?

I stood before him in only my borrowed heels, feeling shy yet sexy. “You’re a little overdressed,” I murmured as I slid my hands under his shirt and pushed it up over his broad and familiar chest. The light sprinkling of dark hair tickled my fingers and the growl low in his throat made me grab onto him for balance.

He did nothing to help me as I pushed the material over his head. The only clue that he wasn’t as in control as he pretended to be was his heart. It beat rapidly in his chest and his breathing was labored.

With shaking hands, I undid his belt and eased his jeans to the floor. He kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his jeans. Clad only in tight gray boxer briefs, there was no denying he was as attracted to me as I was to him.

“Am I supposed to do everything?” I asked, unsure of how to play.

He put his arms up and locked his fingers behind his head. “I can’t guarantee that I’ll stand still much longer…but for the moment, I’m finding this interesting.” His voice was husky and it sent tingles to my dancing insides.

“
Interesting
?” I rolled my eyes and decided interesting was for textbooks, not seductions. I clearly needed to amp up the action.

I quickly grabbed the elastic of his boxer briefs and pushed them down. Coming face to face with one of my favorite parts of his body, I gave it a kiss and was rewarded with a harsh intake of breath. I refused to be interesting…

“Essie,” he warned. “I won’t promise to be gentle. I want you too badly.”

His arm muscles bulged and I could tell it took all he had to keep them locked behind his head. My heart pounded hard in my chest and I realized this was the first time I’d ever taken the lead and I liked it.

“I don’t want gentle,” I purred. “But if you move your hands, I’ll get dressed and leave.”

His eyes flashed. His wolf was so close to the surface, I almost took back my threat. However, my inner wolf was so excited I borrowed her confidence and continued.

“Go to the couch and sit,” I instructed and waited to see what he’d do.

“Yes, ma’am.” His grin was so evilly sexy I almost knocked him to the floor and yelled “Game over.” But I held on and followed him.

He was such a beautiful man. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes roamed every inch of his body. I felt alive, sexy, naughty and very, very happy. Crawling on top of him, I straddled his legs carefully, making sure no lady parts touched any man parts. His moan unfurled a hot coil of lust low in my belly and I was unsure how much longer I could tease him.

Leaning forward, I traced his closed lips with the tip of my tongue. He tasted of man and sin. I coaxed his lips open and slowly explored his mouth. My eyes fluttered shut and my body clenched in anticipation of what I knew would happen…of what I wanted and needed to happen.

“No more,” he ground out as his strong arms trapped my body against his, crushing my breasts to his chest and my pelvis to his. “Open your eyes, Essie. See me. See what you do to me,” he demanded.

I opened my eyes and forgot how to breathe. His desire was overwhelming and matched the fire that was building inside of me. I had never wanted him more. His fingers found the spot that made speech impossible. I ground against his hand and whimpered my need. His lips captured my nipple and I arched, offering myself to him—mind, body and soul.

“I can’t wait,” he hissed as his fangs scraped my breast, sending chills rippling over my body.

“No waiting,” I gasped and I took him in my hand. He was perfect, so hard and as smooth as silk. His hands grasped my hips in an unbreakable hold as he moved me where he wanted me.

“Put me inside you,” he muttered hoarsely. His eyes were unfocused and he was close to snapping. The power I wielded over him made me bold and fearless. I guided him to me and eased my body onto his. My breath caught and I bit down on my lip as he stretched me to accommodate his girth. It was like coming home. The slight burn was painfully addictive and my body clenched in protest.

“Relax, baby,” he whispered in my ear. “Let me in.”

I teetered on the edge between pleasure and pain which excited me like nothing else. I slowly let my body accept his. Sheer excitement took the non-stop train through me as I hissed and cried out. The fit was so very tight and so very perfect. He was going to own my body and heart in the most intimate way.

The time for slow and easy had passed and his grip on my hips tightened as he moved my body up and down the thick length of him. Pleasure jolted through me as he took my nipple in his hot mouth. I contracted around his body and he swore, explaining in graphic detail what he wanted to do to me. The blood roaring in my ears made the sound of his voice a distant noise. A fullness overwhelmed me and I rocked in a sensual rhythm that was natural and age old.